Saturday night’s elimination final between the Cronulla Sharks and Sydney Roosters could mark the end of an era for Sharks Stadium.
With the stadium’s capacity capped at just 15,000, thousands of fans are set to miss out on cheering for their clubs in this crucial elimination match – a longstanding issue that has repeatedly been raised.
Had the game been moved to one of Sydney’s larger, modern stadiums, such as CommBank Stadium, the crowd could have easily doubled and been a sell out.
However, it would have required Sharks fans to travel nearly an hour from their beloved home ground.
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NRL CEO Andrew Abdo has indicated that the league will review its home finals policy in the off-season, suggesting that Shark Park may no longer meet minimum standards for hosting finals matches unless it undergoes a major upgrade.
“We haven’t changed or reviewed the home finals policy for a while, and I think we’re due for that,” Abdo said at Monday’s NRL finals launch.
“That will be a conversation we have with the commission at the end of the season. There are two things we are trading off.
“One is being able to play at your regular home stadium, and the other is a good experience for our fans. They’re both important.
“It’s fair to say we would want a minimum standard, particularly for finals for our fans. It’s not just about the size of the venue, it’s about the experience at the venue.”
Currently, Shark Park is widely regarded as one of the worst professional sporting grounds in the country, plagued by leaks in the roof, pooling water on stairwells, and inadequate facilities for fans and vendors alike.
Unless these much-needed upgrades can be delivered in the next 12 months, this Saturday’s final could be the last time Sharks fans experience a home finals match at Shark Park.